How to pay a contractor safely
Updated October 25, 2026
Short answer
Pay as the work is done, never all up front. Keep any deposit small, tie payments to finished milestones, get the price and scope in writing, and pay by a traceable method, never cash, gift cards or wire transfers. The simplest protection is a platform that holds your payment until you confirm the job is done, which is how GigHuntr bookings work.
The rules that protect you
- Keep the deposit small. In California, a home improvement contractor may not ask for more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.
- Pay by milestone: a payment when a defined stage is finished and you have seen it.
- Put scope, price, timeline and change rules in writing before work starts.
- Use a traceable payment method. Never pay with gift cards, crypto or wire transfers, and be wary of anyone who insists on cash.
- Check the license. In California, check it on the CSLB website; work of $1,000 or more needs one.
How payment protection works on GigHuntr
- You pay when you book. GigHuntr holds the payment; the pro does not get it yet.
- If the scope changes, the pro sends a price change in the app with the reason, and you approve or decline.
- When the pro marks the job done, you confirm and the payment is released. If you do not respond, it releases after 72 hours.
- Something wrong? Report it before release and a person reviews it. If the pro cancels, you are refunded in full.
- Cancel free 24 hours or more ahead. Later than that, 20% of the job goes to the pro for the time they held.
Questions
Only a small deposit, if any. In California a home improvement down payment is capped at 10% of the contract or $1,000, whichever is less. Pay the rest as stages are finished, or use a platform that holds payment until you confirm the job is done.
Yes. GigHuntr holds your payment when you book and releases it to the pro when you confirm the work is done, or automatically 72 hours after the pro marks it done if you do not respond.